Los Angeles plays Portland, aims to end home losing streak

Updated Dec. 30, 2021 3:22 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Portland Trail Blazers (13-21, 12th in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (17-19, seventh in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:30 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles looks to stop its three-game home losing streak with a victory against Portland.

The Lakers are 9-13 in conference matchups. Los Angeles is seventh in the Western Conference shooting 34.6% from downtown, led by Trevor Ariza shooting 100.0% from 3-point range.

The Trail Blazers are 7-17 in conference games. Portland averages 13.1 turnovers per game and is 5-9 when winning the turnover battle.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Trail Blazers won the last matchup on Nov. 7. Damian Lillard scored 25 points to help lead the Trail Blazers to the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Davis is averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and two blocks for the Lakers. LeBron James is averaging 31.4 points over the last 10 games for Los Angeles.

Jusuf Nurkic is averaging 13.3 points and 9.9 rebounds for the Trail Blazers. Lillard is averaging 31.0 points over the last 10 games for Portland.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 4-6, averaging 107.7 points, 44.8 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.6 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points per game.

Trail Blazers: 2-8, averaging 105.4 points, 41.9 rebounds, 21.0 assists, 6.9 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.5 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Anthony Davis: out (knee), Trevor Ariza: out (health and safety protocols), Rajon Rondo: out (health and safety protocols), Kendrick Nunn: out (knee).

Trail Blazers: Ben McLemore: out (health and safety protocols), Cody Zeller: out (knee), Trendon Watford: out (health and safety protocols), CJ McCollum: out (lung), Robert Covington: out (health and safety protocols), Keljin Blevins: out (health and safety protocols), Dennis Smith Jr.: out (health and safety protocols).

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